The Iowan Pizza Chronicles: December 2017

Venue-Outside

The Venue

1130 7^th Ave.

Marion, IA 52302
(319) 200-2399

This restaurant recently is opened in the Marion city. Originally from Cedar Falls, this is their second location. Their slogan is Fast Wood Fired Pizza. They were right about that. It didn't take long for them to get our orders processed.

The waiter was polite and met our needs accordingly. No reservations needed for a Monday night, the Marion location has two stall shops right next to each other in the Marion town square. In the first room (“stall”) The open concept kitchen occupies half of the space and the remaining space is for low seating tables. The second room (“stall”) has a bar area, some low seating tables, and several high seating tables. The place is kid friendly, with a dart board and bowling game in the back of the second room. Plenty of room for a group of 15.

Venue-Inside

The Pizza

Chicago Style: No

Crust Thickness: Thin

Menu: http://www.urbanpieup.com/urban-pie-menu/

Participants: 10 (plus 5 children)

Pizza Ordered: 14

Sizes Offered/Ordered: Small (10”), Medium (12”), Large (16”)
Crusts Offered/Ordered: Standard Crust

Pieces Cut: Triangle-Shaped

Supreme - House Blend Cheese, Marinara, Pico De Gallo, Steak ($8.95)

Goat Herder - Goat Cheese, Fresh Mozzarella, Spicy Marinara, Tomato, Artichoke ($8.95)

Meat Mountain - House Blend Cheese, Marinara, Sausage, Pepperoni, Ham, Bacon ($8.95)

Lilly's Luau - House Blend Cheese, Marinara, Ham, Pineapple, Banana Peppers ($8.95)

Menu 1

Philly Cheese Steak - House Blend Cheese, Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Steak, Onion, Green Pepper, A1 Drizzle ($8.95)

Street Taco - House Blend Cheese, Marinara, Pico De Gallo, Steak ($8.95)

Cheddar Wurst - House Blend Cheese, Marinara, Black & Green Olives, Basil, Artichokes, Garlic, Balsamic Drizzle ($8.95)

Farm Boy - House Blend Cheese, Bbq Sauce, Pulled Chicken, Red Onion, Sweet Baby Ray's, House Blend Cheese ($8.95)

2x Mac Daddy - House Blend Cheese, Macaroni & Cheese, & Bacon ($8.95)

CBR – House Blend Cheese, Alfredo Sauce, Chicken, Bacon, Green Pepper, Mushroom, Ranch Drizzle ($8.95)

Greek Goddess - House Blend Cheese, Marinara, Black & Green Olives, Basil, Artichokes, Garlic, Balsamic Drizzle (8.95)

2x Pepperoni - Pepperoni ($8.95)

The Verdict

Menu 2

Sauce: The sauce average. Light on most pizzas to support the fire baked thin crust.

Cheese: Average.

Crust: Baked well in the fire brick oven.

Toppings: The toppings quality was good, but the quantity was light.

Final Comments/Considerations: The Philly Cheesesteak pizza was the best one I've personally had. Although it may not look appetizing on the page, it truly was in person. One participant commented that it tasted better than the real thing! The flavors blended VERY well together. As for their best seller- the Meat Mountain – it was okay, Nothing too great though. The plain pepperoni pizza was too salty. The Taco had an interesting bite of freshness with the fresh Pico de Gallo. Overall, the place is worth a try. You can even build your own pizza based off whatever you desire.

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall 8.31

Cheese 7.55

Sauce 7.45

Topping 8.36

Crust 8.73

Venue 8.64

Favorite: Philly Cheesesteak